Here is what you need to know before the Westminster Dog Show:

Purpose: To evaluate breeding stock for future generations.

Judging: Dogs are evaluated based on the standard, which is created by each breed's parent club. These standards typically describe the movement, temperament and physical traits (height, weight, coat color, eye color, shape, ear shape and placement, feet and tail). Each standard varies, with some giving very specific criteria and others being more general, leaving more room for the judges' interpretation.

Groups

Dogs are broken into the following groups, based on their breed:

Sporting: Dogs that assist the hunter and tend to have high energy and stable temperaments. Examples: Spaniels, Retriever, Setter, Pointer

Hound: These are similar to the Sporting dogs, but these dogs actually participate in the hunting, by bringing down the game, or holding until the hunter arrives, or finding it by tracking its scent. Examples: Beagle, Dachshund, Bloodhound, Whippet

Working: Working dogs are used as police and service dogs, and also guard homes and stock. They tend to be intelligent and powerful. Examples: Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane

Terrier: These small, agile dogs stay close to the ground to pursue their prey -- rats, fox and vermin. Examples: Fox Terrier, Bull Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer

Toy: Typically lively dogs, toy dogs are used for companionship. Examples: Chihuahua, Maltese, Poodle (Toy), Shih Tzu

Non-Sporting: Dogs with diverse traits that don't fit into another category make up the non-sporting group. Examples: Bulldog, Dalmation, Chow Chow, Llasa Apso

Herding: These dogs move help farmers move livestock from place to place. Examples: Welsh Corgi, Border Collie, Collie, German Shepherd

Key Terms

Best of Breed: The dog chosen by a judge as the best representative of the breed.

Best in Show: The dog chosen from among the finalists as the best dog among all entries.

Conformation: The structure and physical characteristics of a dog.

Gait: The dog's movement.

Stack: The posing of the dog by a handler in its natural stance.